University of Wisconsin President Ray Cross on Tuesday asked the Legislature's budget-writing committee to approve a new public authority for the UW System, a "dedicated and stable funding stream" and to reduce the governor's proposed $300 million budget cut over the next two years.

Shortly after he finished his testimony, a handful of protesters burst into the room shouting, "No cuts, no deals." Followed by four Capitol police officers, the protesters marched past the table where Cross was sitting to give testimony before the Joint Committee on Finance.

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp. and has to reimburse the company, Koss Chief Executive Michael Koss should also be ordered to personally pay the public company he runs, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

Grant Thornton, Koss Corp.'s former auditor, should also have to pay a portion of any award that may be ordered, Park Bank argued in the latest twist in a long-running court fight stemming from Sachdeva's massive embezzlement.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," the bank said in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss, in this case, those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(3)

Jean Segura given a mental break day

The Brewers’ young shortstop began the year in an offensive funk and never was able to get it turned around. Then, just before the all-star break, he received the terrible news that his infant son had died in the Dominican Republic.

That development would have been enough for some players to check out mentally for the rest of the season. But Segura soldiered on and, to his credit, continued to play solid and often sensational defense.

That changed Friday night when Segura committed two careless errors in an overall defensive debacle for the Brewers, who lost, 8-3, to Pittsburgh. Manager Ron Roenicke spoke with Segura, 24, afterward and told him he would give him the day off Saturday.

Roenicke didn’t bench Segura because he made two errors. Roenicke would never do that. But he told Segura he saw some things that made it evident he was not mentally focused on the game.

“I wouldn’t bench a guy because of one (bad) game,” said Roenicke, who gave utility player Elian Herrera the start at shortstop. “Sometimes, it’s the mental part of it. He needs to be in there more with energy.

“I told him when I’m seeing something a little different in him that I was going to give him the day off. So, we’ll see. And Herrera is playing really well, too. And that makes a big difference.”

Asked if Segura might be suffering a down period while thinking about the death of his son, Roenicke said, “No. I talked to him a little while ago and he said everything is fine. He’s going to go through some times when he’s a little moody because of that, and you understand that.

“It’s hard. He’s not playing as well as he knows he should. I told him when I see things (that look off) I’ll give him a day (off). He’s disappointed in what he’s doing offensively. But we need to have him play the way he’s capable of.

“He’s a plus defender, and we really need him out there when everything is right. When he’s thinking right, when he has energy. That’s part of what I’m going to have to look at and see where we are with him.”

Though he faded down the stretch last season, Segura finished with a strong offensive showing, batting .294 with 20 doubles, 10 triples, 12 home runs, 49 runs batted in and 44 stolen bases. This year has been a different story, however.

In 116 games, Segura is batting .232 with 12 doubles, six triples, four homers, 28 RBI, 16 stolen bases and a .270 on-base percentage. He has made 15 errors, matching his total for 146 games last season.

So, what exactly do the Brewers think they have in Segura at this point?

“It’s hard to say where the next few years he’s going to be,” said Roenicke. “But he’s better than what he has shown this year, defensively and offensively.

“It’s just been a tough year for him. They talk about a lot of times the second year is kind of tough. The pitchers adjust to you offensively. We’re seeing it with him. Hopefully, he bounces back and we start seeing the guy that we think is going to be a really good shortstop for a long time.

"The offensive things are a plus for him. If he can go out there and be a plus-defender, we're fine with playing him every day."

About Tom Haudricourt

Tom Haudricourt covers the Brewers and Major League Baseball. He was voted Wisconsin Sports Writer of Year for 2011 and 2012 by National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

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